Australian diocese pushes ahead with same-sex blessings

Author:

The Diocese of Wangaratta, at it’s recent synod, passed the following motion,

That this Synod:

a) acknowledges the widespread national and local support for the recent changes to Australian marriage laws, to include same-sex couples

b) commends the pastoral value of the Bishop authorising a Form of Blessing for optional use in the Diocese of Wangaratta alongside, or in addition to, a wedding conducted by a civil celebrant, and

c) requests that the Bishop of Wangaratta ensure opportunity for the clergy and laity of the Diocese to engage in further discussion as part of the process leading to the potential Diocesan provision for blessing of civil marriages.

Moved: Archdeacon Clarence Bester

Seconded: Ven Dr John Davis

The motion was passed overwhelmingly on the voices. A number of observations can immediately be made:

The motion comes from the leadership of the diocese, presented by an Archdeacon and the former Vicar General of the Diocese.

I am taking my own advice as to whether I have the power at law and the proper theological, exegetical and hermeneutical justification to promulgate a service of same sex unions for use within the Diocese of Wangaratta

Bishop Parkes gave his address prior to the motion being debated and it clearly gave it a green light. It is hard to see his actions here as anything other than a direct challenge to the position that the Anglican Church of Australia has established both at a national synodical level and also amongst his fellow bishops. It also adds more pressure upon the leadership of the Australian Primate, Archbishop Philip Freier of Melbourne, who is Metropolitan of the Province of Victoria where the Diocese of Wangaratta is located.